Little Music

Dressy Bessy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kindercore
• ASIN: B00008L3SV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,127 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Dressy Bessy’s sticky-sweet lo-fi charm makes a singles collection like Little Music an appealing, if somewhat redundant, prospect. After all, Bessy albums such as 2002’s Sound Go Round are already stuffed with would-be singles that bristle with the band’s girlish exuberance. Featuring bubblegum grunge like "Ultra Vivid Color," Little Music plays like a batch of warped Herman's Hermits demos performed by a female-fronted Ramones tribute band. It’s all wrapped up in a familiar layer of ironic hipster-ism, but lead singer/guitarist Tammy Ealom's respect for the material comes through in the sexy, personal lyrics of songs like "Lipstick." Breezy and adorable, Little Music's retro simplicity has the effortless lure of a pastel-colored field of tulips gently listing in the breeze. –Matt! hew Cooke

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Shake Your Shimmy Now..., December 31, 2004

By 

winkingtiger ";oD" (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Music (Audio CD)

What a wonderful compilation of singles and compilation-only cuts from Denver's own Dressy Bessy! While the music press was hailing the Hives, Vines, etc. with 'saving' rock music, DB was quietly putting out album after album (and all these cuts as well) of great post-modern power pop. Sort of like the Breeders attempting to do Monkees covers...only more sarcastic.

On this collection, Tammy Ealom and co. show the versatility and range of their driving pop sound. A lot of people call them 'bubblegum', but I think their music is a little too 'grown-up' for that. Just listen to the wistful swing of 'Instead', the disturbed psychedelia of 'Fuzzy', or the super-charged surf-mod-ness of 'Live To Tell All', to see what I mean.

Of course, there's DB's twee side too...especially charming on their holiday cut 'All The Right Reasons', featuring the most hilarious out-of-tune backround vocals since Shonen Knife's 'Blue Oyster Cult'. In this song, Ealom urges us to join her and build a snowman, and believe me, you'll want to!

This was the 2nd Dressy Bessy disc I bought, and because it IS a compilation, it might not be the place to start if you're new to the group. However, as 'chickrockreviewer' said below, ANY album by Dressy Bessy is worthwhile if you like smart, retro-modern pop. Also check out their cut 'Bubbles' on the Powerpuff Girls soundtrack!

And as for that OTHER reviewer who wondered if a band with so few 'regular' albums needed to do a compilation of 'rarities'...yes! I'm not only saying that as a fan, but because my research has revealed that DB's label, Kindercore Records, folded in fall 2003. Dressy Bessy is so closely tied to this label that unless some OTHER label picks them up right quick, we may have heard the last of this great group ;( .

So snap up the discs while you can, before they go OOP and become hideously extortionately expensive! Love to all you Dressy Bessy fans! ;oD.

4.0 out of 5 stars dressy bessy rocks!, February 18, 2004

By 

"mquicksandslip" (southern north america) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Music (Audio CD)

How in the heck can this album be the 88thousand and something best selling cd on amazon? As comedian Kevin Meanie would say, "Thats not right!" In all seriousness thou, you cant go wrong with Dressy Bessy, they really are one of the better indie bands out there right now. This disc would serve as a really good intro for those who dont own any of the bands albums, thou it should be noted that the S/T album is clearly their best yet. Personaly, if you have the dough, I seriously doubt you would regret just pickin up everything these guys (and gal) have put out. Maybe then they would start to get the attention they deserve!

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars more, April 20, 2004

By 

alexander laurence (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Music (Audio CD)

This is a release of early material from this Kindercore band. They have only been around for three years. Is it necessary to raid the archives already? Nevermind. Dressy Bessy is a side project for John Hill, who also plays with Apples in Stereo. I guess that all people in Denver are very happy people and like Bubblegum music by giving this a listen. Maybe they like to shop at Hello Kitty too? There must be something to Bubblegum. It has been recycled every five years, from Salvation Army, to Cinnamon, Saint Etienne, to Dressy Bessy. Somebody must be listening though. Their longevity is proof of that. Maybe this is not their best moment, but just a teaser in between regular albums. Some people must every bit of vinyl and all recordings of their favorite bands. More power to them.